§ Mr. Rossiasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many references to them have been received by rent officers to (a) fix fair rents, (b) issue certificates of fair rents in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe total number of references, gross and net, are as follows. The gross figures include references subsequently withdrawn, frequently after a considerable amount of work has been undertaken on them.
§ Mr. Denis HowellMy Department has a record of sewage treatment plants in England and Wales which serve a population of more than 200 people. According to information provided by the then river authorities as part of the River Pollution Survey of England and Wales 1970, there are 334 such works in England and Wales, which are privately owned and operated. 11 of these are in the Essex area.
The Institute of Civil Engineers, in collaboration with my Department, published in 1969 a booklet entitled "Safety in Sewers and at Sewage Works" which gives comprehensive advice about the design and operation of works, including the need to erect and maintain warning notices and fences to prevent access by the public and, in particular, young children. By following this advice the owners of sewage works can ensure that 257W any potential danger to the public is minimised.